The Ozark Trail Oversized Mesh Chair from Walmart, although similar to our pick in size, was far less comfortable, with rough-feeling material that was obviously of lower quality. We later found, after six months of frequent use, that the stitching along one arm had come unravelled and that the small straps holding up the back of the armrests had both ripped in half. Walk around any campground or tailgate party, and you’ll notice the popularity of this variety of accordion-style seat. You can pick one up at just about any big-box store (sometimes for as little as $10), order one with your favorite sports team’s logo, or pay a premium for a similar model from Cabela’s or REI.
Solo Stove has an optional heat deflector that helps distribute heat more evenly. The heat can be intense, so we used welding gloves while tending the fire and adding logs. If you want a smokeless fire pit that lives up to the hype, looks great, and fits in at home or on an occasional weekend of car camping, then the Bonfire 2.0 is a solid option. Solo Stove’s Bonfire 2.0 is an update to the Bonfire we previously tested, now including a removable ash pan. While its smokeless performance remains unchanged, the ash pan does add about five pounds to the overall weight.
Once we had the fire going, there was nothing but an occasional wisp of smoke. Breeo’s Y-Series are made by hand in Lancaster Pennsylvania, from thicker, more durable materials than other options from Breeo, and come with a lifetime warranty. We found the firebox to be a little shallow at eight inches, but we were able to get two layers of logs loaded in. This meant re-loading a little more frequently, but that had no bearing on its smoke-free performance. We tested the X Series 24, but it’s also available in both a larger and a smaller size to suit your needs or space. We also found that, even when fully open, the wagon bed doesn’t lie flat.
Several Wirecutter staffers have owned the Coleman chair for years, using it on camping trips, in backyards, and at sporting events. For the most part, it’s held up well, but one common quibble is that the seat bottom begins to sag after several years of use. If you’re looking for highly specialized or ultra-lightweight chairs for backpacking, our recommendations are probably not for you. We also don’t have suggestions for couch-style or loveseat chairs (we’d like to look at those someday, though).
Today, when he’s not testing tools or writing for Popular Mechanics, he’s busy keeping up with the projects at his old farmhouse in eastern Pennsylvania. Danny Perez is a Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men’s style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent ozark trail screen house men’s shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava. There was some initial smoke when we first lit the wood in the Peak and it took a little longer than others we tested for the fire to get hot enough for the smoke to abate—a good fifteen minutes.